WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Indiana's Mask Mandate Begins Today

BY: DAVID SHEPHERD, NEWS DIRECTOR

STATEWIDE -- Indiana governor Eric Holcomb's mask mandate begins today.

Anyone age eight and older will be required to wear a face covering in all indoor public and commercial spaces. The mandate also calls for a mask to be worn on public transportation and in outdoor areas when social distancing isn't possible.

Originally, the governor said failure to wear a mask could be a criminal offense. He walked that back last week after politicians like State Sen. Mark Messmer of Jasper claimed he didn't have the authority to do that and asked Attorney General Curtis Hill to intervene.

Now, local health departments will be tasked with enforcing the mask mandates through education.

 Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter says don't call his department to report mask mandate violators. His deputies won't be enforcing the requirements.